Volume 1 Post/Email 2 – Philippians 2:4
This week we will continue our focus and thoughts on some spiritual food found in the book of Philippians.
Chapter 2 verse 4 reads, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
This verse definitely presents the tension we all feel of how we live and how we budget our time. For starters, we are definitely to be a people who care about others and invest our lives in others. However, this verse also implies that we take care of our own needs.
We all have self-interests. We have physical, financial, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs. Some days and weeks we might neglect some of our personal needs because of investing extra in helping others. Most weeks are a combination of mutual investments. Occasional days or even weeks we may need to invest mostly in ourselves. Even those times can result in blessing others because we find renewal and are re-energized to exert energy, focus and time on other people. Yes, even Jesus would get away from the multitudes, and even his closest disciples, to be alone with the Father.
You may be someone who goes so much and serves so many that you are neglecting your own spiritual, and even physical needs, such as rest. This is not what God wants or expects.
This week you may have plans to be involved in the lives of others by spending most of your discretionary time with them. Just remember it’s o.k. to also spend time praying and worshipping God privately and relaxing with your family in his presence. This week God may use you primarily within your own family. You may not think of this as something big, but your spouse and/or children might really benefit from some additional time and love, and you could benefit too. What might you do this week to give more attention and support to your family? What might you do this week to also invest in yourself?
Everyday this week, let God bless you with thoughts of his loving presence and peace. As you allow God to fill you and strengthen you, you will be most able to reach out to those around you.
You may be someone who has health issues that keep you from getting out much. You can still be used by God through actions like praying for people you know and calling family and friends. No matter our circumstances, we can all do something of service.
I heard an associate minister of a local church talk in one of our High School chapels a few years ago about a man he went to visit in the hospital, who, when he got there, asked if he could pray for the associate minister. It was a moment where the “associate minister” was actually “ministered to” by the Christian in the hospital bed. How incredible! The man was dying of cancer.
-Brian
(This, and previous ones, can also be accessed at www.elguy.org.)
